Input device layers and nesting

• US 9,465,412 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2014
• Issued: 10/11/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Belesiu, Jim Tom, Shaw, Timothy C., Whitt, David Otto III, Huala, Rob, Stoumbos, Christopher Harry, Pelley, Joel Lawrence
• Primary Examiner(s): DUONG, HUNG V
• Application Number:
  US14/517,048
• Publication Number:
  US 20150036274A1
• Time in Patent Office: 725 Days
• Field of Search: 345/170, 345/208, 345/168, 345/102, 345/156, 345/173, 361/679.01, 361/679.09, 361/679.55, 361/679.14, 361/679.08, 361/679.29, 361/679.3, 361/679.07, 361/679.27, 361/679.31, 361/679.21, 846/09, 455/556.1, 455/575.8, 455/569.1, 455/556.2, 455/575.2, 455/575.1, 455/575.6, 455/573, 248/206.2, 248/205.1, 248/371, 248/316.7, 248/614, 248/560, 248/223.41
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/1064 with a coil spring perpendicular to the pivot axis
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/08 with springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/46 Magnets
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/38 by folding , e.g. pivoting or scissors tong mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 11/01 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1618 the display being foldable up to the back of the other housing with a single degree of freedom, e.g. by 360° rotation over the axis defined by the rear edge of the base enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/166 related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1669 Detachable keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1683 for the transmission of signal or power between the different housings, e.g. details of wired or wireless communication, passage of cabling
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3089 Monitoring arrangements determined by the means or processing involved in sensing the monitored data, e.g. interfaces, connectors, sensors, probes, agents software debugging using additional hardware using a specific debug interface G06F11/3656; performance evaluation by tracing or monitoring G06F11/3466
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/102 where the programme performs an interfacing function, e.g. device driver G06F13/105 takes precedence; scheduling within device drivers G06F9/52; contention policies within device drivers G06F9/4881
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/002 Specific input/output arrangements not covered by G06F3/01 - G06F3/16 other optical apparatus G02B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/01 : Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer G06F3/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/02 : Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 : Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 : Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/023 : Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 : Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0414 : using force sensing means to determine a position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 : Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0487 : using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 : using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 : by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/541 : via adapters, e.g. between incompatible applications
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 11/00 : Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches processes specially adapted for manufacture of rectilinearly movable switches having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboards, H01H13/88
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/14 : Operating parts, e.g. push-button
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/702 : with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/703 : characterised by spacers between contact carrying layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/704 : characterised by the layers, e.g. by their material or structure H01H13/703 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/78 : characterised by the contacts or the contact sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/785 : characterised by the material of the contacts, e.g. conductive polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/79 : characterised by the form of the contacts, e.g. interspersed fingers or helical networks
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/807 : characterised by the spatial arrangement of the contact sites, e.g. superimposed sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/82 : characterised by contact space venting means
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/036 : Variable resistance
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/02 : Interspersed fingers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/036 : to solve particular problems
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/058 : Contact area function of position on layered keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2205/006 : mounted on spacer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2211/004 : Adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2211/006 : Individual areas
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2213/016 : in adhesive layer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/004 : Larger or different actuating area
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/006 : Different feeling for different switch sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/01 : Off centre actuation
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2227/032 : Operating force
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/26 : for interlocking two or more switches H01H13/568 takes precedence; by a detachable member H01H9/28 ; for electromagnetic relays H01H50/323
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0216 : Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0245 : using open/close detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 : comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 : by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0226 : Hinges
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0234 : Feet; Stands; Pedestals, e.g. wheels for moving casing on floor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 : Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

Input device layer and nesting techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an input device includes a pressure sensitive key assembly including a substrate having a plurality of hardware elements secured to a surface. The input device also includes one or more layers disposed proximal to the surface, the one or more layers having respective openings configured to nest the one or more hardware elements therein.

Claims

1. An input device comprising:

a key assembly including a sensor substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and a plurality of surface mount hardware elements secured to the second side and extending above the second side; and

one or more layers disposed on the second side of the sensor substrate, the one or more layers having one or more openings therein such that at least a portion of the surface mount hardware elements is disposed through the one or more openings thereby nesting the surface mount hardware elements within the one or more layers.

2. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the one or more layers include a support board.

3. An input device as described in claim 2, wherein the one or more layers also include a support layer disposed between the support board and the sensor substrate, the support layer configured to extend through a flexible hinge to a connection portion that is configured to provide a communicative coupling to a computing device.

4. An input device as described in claim 3, wherein the connection portion is configured to implement a removable physical coupling with the computing device using one or more magnetic coupling devices.

5. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the surface mount hardware elements include one or more of a processor or a sensor.

6. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the sensor substrate includes one or more conductors disposed on the first side of the sensor substrate, and the key assembly further includes a flexible contact layer spaced apart from the sensor substrate and configured to flex in response to an application of pressure to contact the sensor substrate to initiate an input for a computing device that is communicatively coupled to the input device.

7. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the key assembly includes a plurality of mechanical keys or capacitive sensors.

8. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the surface mount hardware elements include one or more linear regulators.

9. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the surface mount hardware elements include an authentication integrated circuit that is configured to authenticate the input device for operation with a computing device.

10. An input device comprising:

a key assembly including a substrate having a plurality of surface mount hardware elements secured to a surface thereof and extending above the surface;

one or more layers disposed proximal to the surface, the one or more layers having respective openings configured to nest the surface mount hardware elements therein; and

a connection portion that is configured to provide a removable physical coupling with a computing device using one or more magnetic coupling devices.

11. An input device as described in claim 10, wherein the one or more layers include a support board.

12. An input device as described in claim 11, wherein the one or more layers also include a support layer disposed between the support board and the substrate, the support layer configured to extend through a flexible hinge to the connection portion.

13. An input device as described in claim 10, wherein the surface mount hardware elements include one or more of an integrated circuit configured as a processor or an authentication integrated circuit that is configured to authenticate the input device for operation with the computing device.

14. An input device as described in claim 10, wherein the surface mount hardware elements include an accelerometer.

15. An input device as described in claim 10, wherein the surface mount hardware elements include one or more linear regulators.

16. A keyboard comprising:

a key assembly including a sensor substrate having a hardware element secured to a surface thereof, the hardware element configured to process signals received from the key assembly into a respective human interface device (HID) compliant output; and

one or more layers disposed proximal to the surface of the sensor substrate, the one or more layers having one or more openings therein such that at least a portion of the hardware element is disposed through the one or more openings thereby nesting the hardware element within the one or more layers.

17. A keyboard as described in claim 16, wherein the key assembly also includes a different hardware element secured to the surface, the different hardware element configured as an accelerometer.

18. A keyboard as described in claim 16, wherein the key assembly also includes a different hardware element secured to the surface, the different hardware element configured as a touch controller.

19. A keyboard as described in claim 16, wherein the one or more layers include a support board and a support layer disposed between the support board and the sensor substrate, the support layer configured to extend through a flexible hinge to a connection portion that is configured to provide a communicative coupling to a computing device.

20. A keyboard as described in claim 16, wherein the sensor substrate includes one or more conductors disposed on a different surface opposite the surface.